Flow Duration Curve in Hydroelectric Plants

The flow duration curve is a graphical representation of the stream flow data collected over a period of time. In hydroelectric power plants, the flow duration curve at a given head is used to determine the total power available at the site.

Power available at the site

The flow duration curve provides information about the amount of stream flow available at a given head. This information is used to calculate the power available at the site. The power available is directly proportional to the flow rate and the head, and can be calculated using the following formula:

Power = Flow rate x Head x Efficiency

where Efficiency is the efficiency of the hydroelectric plant.

Total units of energy available

The flow duration curve can also be used to determine the total units of energy available at the site. The total units of energy available can be calculated by integrating the power available over a period of time. The formula for calculating the total units of energy available is:

Total Energy = ∫ Power dt

where t is the time and the integral is taken over the period of time of interest.

Load-factor at the plant

The load-factor at the plant is a measure of the utilization of the available power. It is defined as the ratio of the average power output to the maximum power output of the plant. The load-factor at the plant can be calculated using the following formula:

Load-factor = Average power output / Maximum power output

Diversity factor for the plant

The diversity factor for the plant is a measure of the variability of the power output. It is defined as the ratio of the sum of the individual maximum demands to the maximum demand on the system. The diversity factor for the plant can be calculated using the following formula:

Diversity factor = Sum of individual maximum demands / Maximum demand on the system

Conclusion

In conclusion, the flow duration curve at a given head of a hydroelectric plant is primarily used to determine the total power available at the site, which can be used to calculate the total units of energy available. The load-factor and diversity factor are measures of the utilization and variability of the power output, respectively.